To Whiten Or Not To Whiten...That Is The Question.

[SO_hAPpy]

Do you think white teeth are important? If so, how much do you spend overall in time and money to keep your teeth bright and white?

[agathi]

it's important but definitely not the most important... i'd rather have all my vital organs stay healthy than try to have my teeth as white as possible.

[SO_hAPpy]

Do you use whitening products?

[juniorz1]

I use whitening toothpaste by Arm & Hammer, I floss, then I use BLUE mouthwash. The color blue is important because it whitens your teeth.

I'm also hooked on Crest whitening strips. those help also.

but I'm an aspiring actor so that's why white teeth are important to me.

Then again, I'm also a guy with attraction toward people with white teeth.

[SO_hAPpy]

I prefer trays since it feels like more coverage is being taken care of. I just tried Aquafresh whitening trays. The trays themselves are soft plastic, very flexible. You just pop them on for 30-45 minutes, very easy to use. There's no mess involved either! Have you heard of these trays?

[rxcats]

I had vaneers put on my four front top teeth almost 20 years ago. I had a developmental line on one of the teeth and they were not very even. Two years ago I had my teeth whitened by my dentist; she fitted me with a tray and prescribed carbamide peroxide gel. I used it for a week, then had the vaneers replaced with new ones. The only problem I had with it was the carbamide peroxide causes teeth sensitivity during use and for about a week after. But you know what they say, "no pain, no gain".

[DevotedToAMC]

I just use regular toothpaste but my teeth are not as white since I had braces years ago and the cement is still on there....I am going to ask my dentist if they can take the cement off

[rxcats]

I wore braces for nearly 6 years, from the age of 10 until 16. I was a very non-compliant patient; I used to cut the arch wire with wire cutters because they hurt so much. Finally I insisted on having them removed; my parents were kind of pissed. My teeth are fairly straight and my bite is OK per my current dentist. My front teeth were a little uneven, but the porcelain veneers took care of that cosmetically. Your orthodontist really should have ground the cement completely off of your teeth when he removed the braces. It isn't that difficult to do and it is his job. I'm sure your regular dentist can take care of it for you.

My teeth were not terribly discolored as I never smoked and have had regular dental care. I had them whitened only because I knew I was getting my old veneers replaced ($750.00 per tooth, 4 teeth done) and I wanted the whiter ones. They have to match your other teeth or it looks funny.

[Solita]

This is something that should be discussed with your dentist. White is great but even with good teeth, it can weaken them. I think the new Listerine quick desolving strips look great and I'd probably try them. You just have to make sure that your gums are in shape for it. If you damage them, you are doomed for frequent dates with the dentist. This comes from someone who just spent 15,000 on her teeth.

[DevotedToAMC]

Well actually my regular dentist is an orthodontist as well so I guess he just forgot to remove the cement but either way I was just happy to get them off. I hated having to go to the dentist like twice a month and have them cleaned and adjusted and what not. This was back when I was a teenager (ages 13-15 so I wore them for almost two years) and of course I was going through raging hormones at the time and other moody issues so I wasn't really a fan of my dentist. Now, I just love the guy and we talk like father and son. He understood we didn't really like him but that we were teenagers so that was a main reason but now he is a really good friend and has been my dentist for almost 13 years.

[juppiter]

Very very important! I look at teeth first and then everything else. If someone has ugly teeth but nice everything else I won't notice because teeth are the first thing I look at.

[Solita]

I'm right there with you. I have a tendency to look at people's mouths first and fixate on it. Good teeth are very important but everyone should consult a professional before 'self whitening.' I know that's a pain sometimes but it could be worth it. Has anyone done Lumineers? They look awesome. I wasn't a candidate for them (smoking.......quit now or never start) but they are like permanent contacts for your teeth. No major work and they do look awesome.

[SO_hAPpy]

Yes, weakening enamel becomes an issue when you whiten. You have to be careful. I have tried a couple products that had me in pain the next day when a cold breeze hit my teeth! I like the aquafresh trays because they advertise that they were designed by cosmetic dentists, and have right amount of gel to NOT weaken enamel. And to me, trays are less messy.

[rxcats]

My dentist occasionally sends out a newsletter about relevant dental issues. I remember getting one that mentioned that using a lower concentration peroxide (carbamide peroxide is generally used for whitening) does a better job in the long run. It is slower to whiten teeth, however the teeth will remain white longer. Also, it causes less tooth sensitivity. You can overdue tooth whitening too. The teeth develop a bluish/transparent look; once you have gone that far, nothing will reverse it. You end up needing veneers.